Name: Aureliane Tchamdja

Pronouns: She/Her

Semester of Internship: Summer 2025

Major: Computer Science 

Current Class Level: Junior

This semester I completed a(n)...: Research experience

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): University of Nebraska-Lincoln Summer Research Program

Location of the Organization (City, State): Lincoln, Nebraska

Title of position: Research Scholar

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities: 

I worked with Dr. Wissam Kontar and Mohammad Elayan on our project, "Autonomous Ground and Air Systems for Last-Mile Mobility: A Case Study on the Agriculture System". This research allowed me to explore the logistics of last-mile delivery and learn how to solve route optimization problems using autonomous vehicles and drones in rural, agricultural settings. I had the opportunity to present my research as a poster at both UNL's 2025 Engineering Summer Research Fair hosted by the College of Engineering, and UNL's 2025 Summer Research Symposium hosted by the Office of Graduate Studies. Other than my poster, other deliverables that I had completed by the end of the program were a 10+ page scientific paper on my project and an oral presentation in front of my peers and faculty in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. I was also able to attend workshops and panels that have better prepared me for graduate school and strengthened my skills as a scientist/researcher.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

I heard of the Nebraska Summer Research Program through emails that were sent to me during the Fall 2024 semester. I applied and submitted my application to the program in January.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

Student Organizations/Scholar Groups, University website 

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?

I enjoyed being able to explore the sustainability/transportation research field, especially being able to look at the use of autonomous technology. I also found the workshops and panels that the program provided to be very valuable. 

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

Although my work was more so in a preliminary stage, I believe that it is still a great contribution to the scientific community because it will help start conversations on how to better address transportation gaps in agriculture and in rural areas as a whole.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

Advice that I would give to another student seeking an internship is to not be afraid to apply to any and as many programs/experiences as they desire. The more you open yourself up to these opportunities, the more likely you are to get them.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.

What I liked most about my research experience was being able to explore a research field that I may not have been able to otherwise, as well as being able to learn more about graduate school and what to expect as a student who wants to pursue a PhD degree.

The job search can be an exciting time — but it can also feel discouraging when applications go unanswered or interviews don't lead to offers. In a competitive market, rejection is normal, but that doesn't make it easy. The good news? You can learn to navigate setbacks, stay motivated, and keep moving forward, with the help of these tips:

1. Reframe Rejection as Redirection

Remember: every "no" brings you closer to the right "yes." Instead of seeing rejection as failure, view it as feedback. Ask yourself what you can learn from the experience — maybe it's refining your resume, expanding your network, or exploring a different industry. Book a Search Strategies appointment with a Career Center Advisor to get even more ideas on how to improve.

2. Set Small, Achievable Goals

A long job search can feel endless, but there are ways to make it feel more manageable. Break the search down into steps you can accomplish each week, like updating one section of your resume, applying to three jobs, or reaching out to two networking contacts. Small wins can add up — and help you build momentum.

3. Lean on Your Support System

You don't have to go through this process alone. Share your pitfalls and wins with friends, mentors, or career advisors at the Career Center or beyond. They can offer encouragement, perspective, and even new job leads. The more you let others know that you're on the hunt, the more eyes there will be out there seeking viable opportunities. Maybe it would be helpful to meet with a friend outside of career events and apply for job positions together. It's ok to ask for help, accountability, and support.

4. Prioritize Self-Care

Stress can easily build up during a long search. Make time for activities that recharge you — whether that's exercise, hobbies, or simply taking a day off from applications. Maybe making a curated playlist while you submit applications can help you stay motivated, or maybe you need to engage in breathwork and affirmations before starting each day. A clear mind helps you stay confident and focused. 

5. Keep Building Skills While You Search

If you're waiting on responses, invest in your professional growth. Take an online course, volunteer for a nonprofit you're interested in, or start a personal project. Sign up for a micro-internship at Parker Dewey or a job simulation at The Forage. Check out offerings from the UMBC Training Centers and watch the Paws & Pivot Webinar Series. Adding new experiences and skills to your resume shows employers that you are staying active and adaptable.

Strategize Your Next Steps

Setbacks don't define your career — they guide it. For more ways to stay resilient and turn challenges into opportunities, join us at our online workshop, Mindset & Momentum: Staying Resilient in the Job Hunt, at 2:30 PM on Tuesday, September 30. This supportive session will share practical strategies to help you stay motivated and keep your search moving forward.

 More Career Opportunities Await! 

UMBC hosted our Career & Internship Fair on September 17, but we know that one event can't capture every opportunity. To give our Retrievers even more chances to connect with employers and explore next steps, we're excited to promote two upcoming partner fairs hosted by nearby universities:

 Towson University Career & Internship Fair

• Date: Friday, September 26

• Time: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• Location: SECU Arena, Towson University

• A wide range of employers will be in attendance—don't miss your chance to network and explore career opportunities!

 Goucher College Graduate School Fair

• Date: Tuesday, October 7

• Time: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• Location: Goucher College Library, Towson, MD

• Explore graduate school programs in the Baltimore area that can help you launch your career. Walk-ins welcome!

• Register here: https://gradprograms.goucher.edu/portal/events-web

UMBC is proud to be a collegial partner in our university community and to support your success—whether it's finding your next job, internship, or graduate program. Take advantage of these great opportunities!

Note: UMBC will not provide transportation to these events.

Name: Nardos Araya

Pronouns: she/her

Semester of Internship: Summer 2025

Major: Information Systems

Current Class Level: Senior

This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): Morgan Stanley

Location of the Organization (City, State): Baltimore, MD

Title of position: Operations Analyst Intern

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:

I interned at Morgan Stanley in the Baltimore office as an Operations Analyst Intern. During this internship, I worked alongside the Global Reconciliation Services team and was a team lead for a group project involving automating manual processes using various automation tools like Alteryx and Power BI. I also worked on documenting business requirements and reengineering business processes through automation and process-mapping.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

I heard about this internship around the end of summer of 2024 and obtained this internship by first, making an appointment with the career center to help review and tailor my resume to the internship's job description. I also networked with full-time employees at Morgan Stanley that were previous interns and asked them how I can stand out in my application and my interview. After preparing my application, I submitted my application within 2 weeks.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

UMBC Career Center, Networking events (UMBC Connects, Info Sessions, Arts With a Purpose, etc.), Alumni Networking, Student Organizations/Scholar Groups, LinkedIn or other social media

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?

What I enjoyed most about interning at Morgan Stanley was learning alongside experienced professionals that I looked up to and receiving guidance from them on familiarizing myself with a corporate environment. Getting to know other interns from different schools and backgrounds was also a great opportunity that I appreciated the most because those connections I built are always going to be helpful for my future as I grow professionally. Additionally, getting to use skills that I learned in the classroom in a real-world environment where I'm given a project and I have the opportunity to create impact for the organization was very rewarding!

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

The automation project that I led was for a daily manual process that usually took 1008 hours to complete annually. By automating the daily manual process, I saved the company 750+ hours annually and eliminated manual error completely. The company can now spend more time on more crucial tasks at hand.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

Advice I would give to another student seeking an internship would be to reach out alumni that works at the company and has the role that you're interested in and have them look at your resume and overall application. I would also suggest to network with students who just recently interned in your company of interest because their insights would be fresh in terms of what skills the company looks for, interview tips, etc.

The deadline to register for hackUMBC is Friday, September 26, 2025, at 9PM EST Make sure to sign up before then!

We'll be posting updates on our Instagram and social media about what to expect on the day of the event and important details on where to go. Keep an eye out for these updates and don't wait too long—only one week left to register!

(P.S. checkout the hackUMBC Instagram for new post about the schedule, partners, and events @hackumbc)